Tuesday, May 25, 2010

CROSSING OCEANS - Gina Holmes - Free Book

Really excited about featuring this debut author. Welcome, Gina. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

Wow, so very much of myself goes into my characters. Every one of them, even the villains take something from me. When you read an author’s work, that’s going to be true universally I’d think. That’s where the authenticity comes in and the story and characters ring true. When we read someone else’s work, we’re looking at a window into that writer’s soul. Lucky for us writer’s that the reader doesn’t know which parts are pulled from our lives, struggles and personalities. I wrote an article on Novel Journey some time ago titled “Pimp my Soul” that deals with that very subject. If you go to the site and put that in the search bar at the top, it’ll come up.

Of course, some characters are going to be more like us than others. In Crossing Oceans, for example, some of my early readers assumed that the main character, Genieve was heavily based off me, but I think if any character was like me, it was the little girl, Isabella. She’s very much like I was as a child.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Man, I have done a LOT of quirky things in my life. I’m a pretty quirky person. Moving to the island of Cyprus with no money and a one way ticket was pretty out there. For kicks, me and my teenage friends would drink coffee at Dunkin Donuts wearing our underclothes on the outside of our clothing. We would follow people at random in my old Chevette for sometimes an hour. (I still feel bad about that. We really freaked some folks out! I’ll blame it all on being young and immature.) I’m still a little different.
When did you first discover that you were a writer?

Back in high-school it started to dawn on me that I could write. Everyone else would get a writing assignment and I found it so odd to see them struggle through it. I could whip out an A paper in a couple of minutes. It came easy for me. (It doesn’t come quite as easy these days unfortunately.) It was college though that I really got that I could write. I turned in a short piece on musak and my professor didn’t know I was watching him read it. I remember his eyebrows shooting up, him grinning and shaking his head. I thought, this guy really likes it and he’s someone whose opinion had some weight for me. I’ll never forget that feeling.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

I grew up on things I would never in a million years let my kids read. V.C. Andrews for one. Stephen King was my man. I still think he’s a fabulous writer. My tastes now have changed considerably thought. I like historicals, classics, literary, mainstream and some suspense. I adore Frank Peretti, Francine Rivers, Lisa Samson, Claudia Burney and think Charles Martin is a genius.

What other books have you written, whether published or not?

My first four novels were suspense—ranging from a woman who falls prey to a Wiccan priestess, to a sleuth nurse. I plan to stay in the mainstream genre now. Now that I believe I’m writing what I was created to, I no longer feel like a salmon swimming upstream. What I’m writing now is a much better fit for my strengths.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

I don’t. I think I’m a little crazy, but hey, I’m functional. My kids keep me busy, my nursing career, publicity, writing, being a wife to the world’s most amazing man and all that goes with all of that. I’ve got a great sense of humor and as long as I keep that, it ought to keep the straight jacket at bay. That’s the theory at any rate.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

I go through baby books, now online baby name websites and just look through them, try them out on my tongue and in the story until one feels right. My main character from Crossing Oceans name is Genevieve and I had a friend many years ago with that name and always loved it.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Hands down how my two boys are turning out. God has mercifully covered my shortcomings as a parent. Jacob (13) and Levi (8) are the most loving, charming, intelligent, funny and happy children you could imagine. I don’t take full credit of course but I can’t help feeling like I’ve done something in this world right when I look at them.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

Hand’s down—a bird. They’re so amazing—delicate, beautiful, resourceful and free.

What is your favorite food?

I love me some cheese! Oh and a romaine salad with crumbled bleu cheese and balsamic vinaigrette rates pretty high too.

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

Being too sparse with my descriptions. I have a critique partner, Jessica Dotta, who is unbelievably talented in that area and editing her and being edited by her and the others in my group eventually wore me down and made the light bulb come on. Plus, whenever I read, I stop at good descriptions and reread them several times. It was bound to sink in eventually. One of the greatest compliments I can get involve ones on the descriptions I’ve used, because I guess, it doesn’t come naturally. I really work at that.

What advice would you give to an author just starting out?

Relax. It’s not going to happen in a day or even for a few years. Calm down, go to writer’s conferences, make friends, join critique groups, read how-to writing books, and above all be teachable.

Tell us about the featured book?

Crossing Oceans is the story of a young woman who must return home to face the ghosts of her past and tell the man she left behind that he’s about to inherit a daughter he didn’t know existed.

It’s a beautiful storyline and I’m very proud of it. I hope that it will make everyone who reads it look within themselves and question what they really believe about eternity, death and start to really consider the legacy they’ll leave behind for their children and children’s children to inherit. If you like Nicholas Sparks, Karen Kingsbury or Charles Martin, I think you’d like this one. Think Terms of Endearment, Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas, or Hope Floats. It’s along those lines.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Nothing deepens a stream like a good rain … or makes it harder to cross.

Just a few hundred feet away from the home I’d sworn never to return to, I sat on the smooth surface of a boulder. With my jeans cuffed and toes wiggling in the cold water, I considered how recent rains had caused these banks to widen and swell.

Perhaps a decent relationship with my father might also rise as a result of the storm we’d endured. Much could happen in six years. Maybe my absence had, as the adage promised, made his heart grow fonder. Maybe my homecoming would be like that of the prodigal and he’d greet me with eager arms. Together we’d cry for all that had passed between us—and all that should have, but didn’t.

Maybe. Maybe. Maybe.

It’s going to go just fine, I told myself as I traced the slippery surface of a moss-covered branch with my foot “What’s funny, Mommy?” Isabella’s voice startled me. I didn’t dare admit that what my five year-old interpreted as mirth was really a grimace, because then of course she’d want to know what was the matter. “Nothing, sweetness.”

She threw a pebble at the water, but it dropped inches from its goal, clinking against slate instead. “You were smiling like this . . .” She bared her teeth in a forced grin.

Gently, I pinched her cheek.

“You’re beautiful, Mommy.”

“Thank you, baby. So are you.”

“Yes, I am.”

I smiled at that. I smiled at just about everything she said and did.

“Mommy, why’d we drive here stead of Cowpa’s house?”

Cowpa was her name for grandparents of either gender. I probably should have corrected her long ago, but I found the odd term endearing. Besides, I reasoned, she’d grow out of baby talk all too soon, without any help from me. I found myself wondering what other lessons she would learn in my absence.

The thought overwhelmed me, but I refused to cry in front of my daughter. Unloading my heavy burden onto her delicate shoulders was not an option. I might not be able to control much in my life lately, but I could still protect her. Nothing mattered more.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

http://www.ginaholmes.com/ http://www.noveljourney.blogspot.com/  and I’m also on twitter as: Ginawrites, facebook under: Gina Holmes Waters (Waters is my married name) and shoutlife.

Thanks for having me, Lena. Really great questions.

And thank you, Gina, for the fun interview.

Readers, here's a link to the book. By using this link when you order, you help support this blog.














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44 comments:

Holly Heisey said...

I'd love to read it! Count me in, please.

Katrina said...

I would love to win it, it sounds like a good read.

Anonymous said...

this book is on my 'wish list.' thanks for the opportunity to read it :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Casey said...

I SO want to read this book, it looks fantastic!! Thanks for the chance. :)

Merry said...

Crossing Oceans will probably have me crying an ocean of tears but it sounds so touching, so please count me in! Thanks.

Lourdes said...

Oh Oh looks like I'm gonna need more tissues :-) Looking forward to reading this book.

Lourdes11743[at]gmail[dot]com

misskallie2000 said...

Sounds like at least half a lg box of tissue will be needed. I enjoyed the intereview and can't wait to read the book. Have put on my wish list. Hoping for HEA.
Thanks for hosting this free book and pls count me in.

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

Melissa M. said...

Sounds interesting, and I think my sisters-in-law would like this, so I could win it for all of us. :)

~Melissa
hismercysurrounding[at]yahoo[dot]com

collettakay said...

I've had my eye on this book!

pepsi324[at]yahoo[dot]com

Sheila Deeth said...

I'd love to read this. I had no idea you were so "quirky."

Anonymous said...

This is definitely on my "want to read" list...please enter me.
Thanks!!!
jackie.smithATdishmailDOTnet

Bluerose said...

Please enter me. Thanks! bluerose_shelnut(at)yahoo(dot)com

Cindy W. said...

I have read great review about Crossing Oceans. I love reading debut novels and would love to win this one. Thank you for the opportunity.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

Unknown said...

Sorry about the typos y'all. Lena, thanks for having me. It's funny that I wrote this so long ago that I can't remember my answers. Thanks for taking the time to comment all!

runner10 said...

Sounds like a great book.
csdsksds{at]gmail[dot]com

Linda Kish said...

This sounds really good. Count me in, please.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Lou Ann said...

I so much would love to win this book. Please consider me in this generous offer. Thank you.

A J Hawke said...

Sounds like a solid story.

Please enter me in the drawing.

A J Hawke

Anita Yancey said...

I would love to read this book. It sounds like a very good read. Please enter me. Thanks!

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

grannyvon said...

I would love to win this book. I will surely add Gina Holmes to my list of authors to read. Thanks for the chance to win! ybutler@oppcatv.com

Carla said...

Please sign me up.

Kristen said...

I'd love to read Crossing Oceans. Please enter me:)
Thanks

Anonymous said...

Please enter me..I have been wanting to win this book.Thanks

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

I would love to read it!
dancealert at aol dot com

Carole said...

Crossing Oceans is definitely on my wish list and I appreciate the chance to win a copy. Congratulations to Gina on being published! And by the way, I suspect most of us have read books that we wouldn't let our children read. I also like the authors Gina mentioned.

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

rbooth43 said...

What I really believe about eternity, death and start to really consider the legacy I’ll leave behind for my child and grandchild to inherit. When my parents died when I was a teenager, my siblings fought about the material things. When my husband passed away, he had taken care of all arrangements beforehand, so I only had to worry about the important think- my and my child's grief. Too many people attribute about what material things they will receive. I have learned to trust in God and support family through compassion.

rbooth43(at)yahoo(dot)com

Coolestmommy said...

Gina--This sounds like a great read. Looking forward to it.

coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com

Sheri said...

This book is on my wishlist! I would love to win a copy.

Megan said...

I have very similar tastes in books...Francine Rivers and Frank Peretti are two of my favorite! I also like Lisa Samson and Charles Martin!
I think I'd really enjoy this book, thanks for the chance to win one!

inspiredbyfiction[at]gmail[dot]com

grannyvon said...

I would love to win this one. Thanks for the chance. ybutler@oppcatv.com

Judylynn said...

Please enter me in this giveaway - Thanks!

seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com

Michelle said...

Thank you for entering me! I appreciate the chance.

Michelle
scraphappy71 at sbcglobal dot net

Sara - artst4christ said...

Sounds very interesting would love to win/read. Thanks

artist4christ -@- cyberhaus -.- us

Megan (Inspired by Fiction) said...

This sounds like a great book...we posted about the giveaway at Winning Readings.

Katie said...

This sounds like a wonderful book that I'd love to read! Please count me in!

kateh12783@hotmail.com

Michelle V said...

Please enter me! I've been wanting to read this one!

debbie said...

I would love to read this book.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Naasom André said...

Sounds interesting. I'd like win a copy and read thi book. Thanks.

letrassantas [at] hotmail [dot] com

Sue said...

Sounds great, I would love the opportunity to win. Thanks for entering me.

herrins1@harneyesd.k12.or.us

Jo said...

Love the cover on this book. Please enter me.

Blessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

Debbie F said...

Sounds like a great read. Count me in! Thanks!

dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Nancye said...

Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Sarah said...

Great interview. Can't wait to read the book. Please enter me in the drawing.

Lady Araujo said...

I'd love to read this book.
Enter me, please.